First, governor, do no harm

"First, do no harm", says the Hippocratic oath, the pledge sworn to by physicians in their medical practice.

Perhaps, Gov. Corzine should have taken note of that admonition before he kicked off the discussion about selling, leasing, or otherwise squeezing billions of dollars out of the state's three toll roads.

Raising the issue, refusing to offer details, and promising to reveal his ideas after the November election sent Democratic legislators scurrying for cover while gleeful Republicans took full advantage of the political foot shooting engaged in by the Administration.

In an act which raised "What was he thinking?" to a new level, the State Treasurer dashed off a blackmail note to every mayor and governing body, warning them that if they opposed the highway plan --- whatever it eventually turns out to be --- they'll lose state aid.

The message was: If we can't win on the merits, we'll club you into submission. It's difficult to imagine a more ham-fisted approach.

For instance, Assemblyman Jim Whelan, locked in a tough Senate campaign in Atlantic County, has sought desperately to distance himself from the Governor on the issue, pledging undying love for the Turnpike, Parkway and Expressway.

In light of the Treasurer's statewide ransom note, Whelan now must explain to every mayor in his district why the Governor will withhold state aid if they take the same position Whelan has.

By driving Whelan and many of his skittish colleagues into taking an "over my dead body" position, the Governor has lost votes he may very well need --- and desperately so --- for approval of whatever plan he eventually submits.

If he's elected to the Senate, how can Whelan possibly justify supporting the Governor? He's already indicated a good bit of his campaign will be built around opposition to the idea and there doesn't appear to be any wiggle room for him There's always the possibility that the Administration will develop some talking points for Whelan and others, should they have a change of heart, to explain themselves, but it will be another exercise in slicing the bologna pretty thin.

The entire issue has been badly handled by the Administration and the blackmail letter from the Treasurer compounded the difficulty.

If Hippocrates had been a political consultant rather than a physician, his advice to Corzine still would have been, "First, do no harm."